Letter 1009: KING THEODERIC TO EUSTORGIUS, THE VENERABLE BISHOP OF MILAN.

IX. King Theoderic to Eustorgius, the Venerable Bishop of Milan. [1] The condition of subjects is secure where life is lived under the equity of those who reign; nor is it fitting that one be dragged along by doubtful rumor by whom things not to be altered ought rather to be established. For we gather the trustworthiness of matters from reason, which is never hidden from those who desire it, if it is sought out along its own tracks. [2] And therefore, what we are confident will be most welcome to Your Blessedness, we declare by the present writing: that the bishop of the city of Augsburg [Augusta], who was accused by false charges of treason against his country, having been restored by you to his former honor, shall hold every right of the episcopate that he held before. For in such an honor nothing is to be presumed by rash judgment, since, if a man is believed on account of his purpose [his office], he is, even in silence, excused from misdeeds. Manifest charges against such men accordingly scarcely win belief; and whatever is said out of envy is not reckoned to be the truth. [3] For it is our will to strike his assailants with the lawful penalty; but since they too discharged the office under the name of the clergy, we have transmitted everything to the judgment of Your Holiness to be set in order, whose part it is both to impose probity upon such characters and to maintain ecclesiastical discipline.

VIIII. EUSTORGIO VIRO VENERABILI MEDIOLANENSI EPISCOPO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Tuta est condicio subiectorum, ubi vivitur sub aequitate regnantium: nec dubio decet rumore trahi, a quo debent non mutanda constitui. fidem siquidem rerum a ratione colligimus, quae numquam desiderantibus absconditur, si suis vestigiis perquiratur. [2] Atque ideo, quod beatitudini vestrae gratissimum esse confidimus, praesenti tenore declaramus Augustanae civitatis episcopum proditionis patriae falsis criminationibus accusatum: qui a vobis honori pristino restitutus ius habeat episcopatus omne quod habuit. nihil enim in tali honore temeraria cogitatione praesumendum est, ubi, si proposito creditor, etiam tacitus ab excessibus excusatur. manifesta proinde crimina in talibus vix capiunt fidem: quicquid autem ex invidia dicitur, veritas non putatur. [3] Volumus enim inpugnatores eius legitima poena percellere: sed quoniam et ipsi clericatus nomine fungebantur, ad sanctitatis vestrae iudicium cuncta transmisimus ordinanda, cuius est et probitatem moribus talibus imponere et districtionem ecclesiasticam custodire.